November 8, 2018

November 8, 2018

Thursday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time

Intention: That all people will work together tirelessly to bring peace and safety to those whose homes are being torn by war or shattered by crime.

Today’s Gospel | Luke 15:1-10

The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So Jesus addressed this parable to them. “What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.

“Or what woman having ten coins and losing one would not light a lamp and sweep the house, searching carefully until she finds it? And when she does find it, she calls together her friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost.’ In just the same way, I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

From the Fifteenth Meditation for the Time of Retreat | Saint John Baptist de La Salle

God is so good that he does not leave unrewarded the good work that is done for him and the service that is rendered to him, especially for the salvation of souls. If it is true that God rewards so generously even in this world those who have left all things for him, that they receive a hundredfold in this life, with how much more reason will God reward even in this present time those who have devoted themselves with zeal to spread his kingdom!

To reward so great a good work and a service that he regards so highly, God gives two kinds of reward in this world to those who commit themselves untiringly to the work of the salvation of souls. First, he gives them an abundance of grace; second, he gives them a more extended ministry and a greater ability to procure the conversion of souls.

Prayer

Eternal Father, every day you call us to holiness, to put our hearts and our lives at one with your will. At times, we fall prey to our own pride and begin to judge others. Teach us to look upon one another with humble and unassuming eyes, to always acknowledge our own brokenness and our constant need for your mercy and forgiveness. Fill us with compassion and love for all, especially those that you have entrusted to our care. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Saint John Baptist de La Salle, pray for us.
Live Jesus in our hearts forever.